ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) registered 14,802 new companies in the first four months of the fiscal year 2026, reflecting growing confidence in the country’s corporate sector.
Of these incorporations, 99.9 percent were processed online through eZfile, bringing the total number of registered companies in Pakistan to 272,918. The total paid-up capital for the period stood at Rs. 20.59 billion.
In terms of company structure, private limited companies accounted for 59% of new registrations, followed by single-member companies at 37%. The remaining 4% comprised public unlisted companies, not-for-profit organizations, trade organizations, and limited liability partnerships. Additionally, 10 foreign companies established a place of business in Pakistan during this period.
These companies were registered online through SECP’s digital platform, enabling entrepreneurs from across the country to incorporate their businesses without the need to physically visit SECP offices. Alongside major urban centers such as Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi, a significant number of registrations—nearly 30% of the total—originated from approximately 250 other cities and towns across Pakistan. These include Layyah, Burewala, Bhakkar, Pakpattan, Hasilpur, Chaman, Gwadar, Zhob, Turbat, Bannu, Kohat, Tank, Swat, Mansehra, Thatta, Larkana, Dadu, Rohri, Hunza, and Gilgit, reflecting the growing outreach of SECP’s digital services.
Province-wise data shows that 7,476 companies were registered in Punjab, followed by the Islamabad Capital Territory (3,230), Sindh (2,197), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (1,320), Gilgit-Baltistan (337), and Balochistan (242).
The Information Technology and e-commerce sectors led with 2,999 new incorporations, followed by trading (1,954), services (1,807), and real estate development and construction (1,393). Other active sectors included tourism and transport (1,042), education (787), food and beverages (751), mining and quarrying (346), marketing and advertisement (342), textile (327), pharmaceuticals (284), agricultural farming (242), healthcare (242), cosmetics and toiletries (229), engineering (236), fuel and energy (188), chemical (184), and auto and allied (153). An additional 1,296 companies were registered across various other sectors, including not-for-profit associations, cable and electric goods, communications, power generation, logging, sports, arts and culture, steel, broadcasting and telecasting, paper and board, insurance, and NBFCs.
Foreign investment also showed positive momentum, with 332 newly registered companies receiving capital from international investors across diverse jurisdictions, including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Comoros, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nigeria, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Philippines, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Tajikistan, Thailand, the UK, the United States, and Vietnam.
As part of its efforts to enhance market access and promote financial inclusion, the SECP issued a total of 94 licenses during the period across various regulatory domains. These included 8 licenses in the Capital Market sector, 15 licenses to Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and 25 licenses to entities operating as Securities Market/Futures Brokers/Consultants to the Issue/Share Registrars and Ballotters/Underwriters/BTI and DST — including 5 new licenses and 20 renewals. Furthermore, the Commission issued 4 licenses to Insurance Surveyors (comprising 2 new and 2 renewed licenses) and 42 licenses to Not-for-Profit Associations.
The SECP is launching a comprehensive awareness drive to promote the advantages of incorporation within the business community. These advantages include limited liability, separate legal entity status, enhanced credibility, scalability, perpetual succession, structured governance, tax efficiency, easier access to finance, and stronger brand protection.
The SECP remains committed to strengthening its digital infrastructure and streamlining regulatory processes to promote entrepreneurship, attract investment, and support sustainable economic development.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
